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BUCKHORN, ON, Nov. 27 /CNW/ - Six remarkable Ontario not-for-profit
organizations will be honoured for the difference they have made in their
communities at the Ontario Trillium Foundation's 25th Anniversary celebration
in Buckhorn, November 27, 2007. The evening will be hosted by Megan Murphy of
Star 93.3 Radio Cobourg.
"The Great Grants Awards recognize the vision, commitment and energy of
Ontario's volunteers and community organizations," said Lloyd White, Grant
Review Team Chair for Durham, Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge region. "This
is our 25th year of strengthening communities and we've been celebrating by
holding 16 award events across the province. We look forward to meeting
community members in the Durham, Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge area who
help make Ontario a great place to live."
The Foundation presents the Great Grants Awards every two years. The
award winners were selected by volunteers who serve on the local Grant Review
Team. In the Durham, Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge region, six
organizations were chosen for their outstanding achievements in the Arts and
Culture, Sports and Recreation, Environment and Human and Social Services
sectors.
2007 Great Grants Award Winners:
- Arts and Culture: Durham West Arts Centre c/o Rotary Club of
Pickering. In 2003, OTF granted the collaborative, led by the Rotary
Club of Pickering, $150,000 over two years to help establish the
Durham West Arts Centre organization. The funds helped an executive
director and support staff to recruit business partners, volunteers
and artists to implement new programs. In 2006, OTF made another
grant to the Centre to help support its goal of a permanent arts
centre in Durham Region.
- Sports and Recreation: Fenelon Falls Tennis Club. In 2003, OTF
granted the Fenelon Falls Tennis Club $60,000 to improve the quality
of its tennis courts. The tennis surfaces were 25 years old at the
time and had deteriorated beyond repair. As a small rural community,
Fenelon Falls relies on the tennis club to provide recreational
opportunities for its residents. Without OTF funding, the Club
believes it would have seen its membership drop.
- Environment: Community Stream Steward Pilot Project c/o Ontario
Wildlife Foundation. In 2003, the Foundation granted the Ontario
Wildlife Foundation, the lead in a collaborative with the Ontario
Federation of Anglers and Hunters, Durham Land Stewardship Council
and the Victoria Land and Water Stewardship Council, $225,000 over
three years to implement a community stream program. Over 900
volunteers helped restore and protect 75 sections of coldwater
streams.
- Human and Social Services: Wraparound Northumberland. In 2004, the
Foundation granted the Children's Case Coordination Services for
Northumberland County $112,000 over two years to launch Wraparound
Northumberland. A program coordinator was hired to build a network of
trained Wraparound facilitators and community teams to provide a
seamless circle of support for families with complex needs. Over the
grant period, 50 families and 112 children were helped.
- Grant Review Team Chair's Award - for exemplary volunteerism: Big
Brothers Big Sisters of Peterborough. In 2005, OTF granted Big
Brothers Big Sisters of Peterborough $20,200 to increase volunteer
opportunities and skills for teens who were once BBBS participants.
The "Big Middle Little" pilot program helped youth aged 16 to 18 who
were about to leave the BBBS program transition into becoming mentors
to younger kids.
- 25th Anniversary Award - for remaining a leader in the not-for profit
or charitable sector by consistently delivering on the Foundation's
granting priorities: Encouraging Young Readers Collaborative c/o
Learning Disabilities Association of Peterborough. In 1999, OTF
granted the Association $257,100 over five years to develop and
implement "Encouraging Young Readers", a tutoring service geared
toward primary school children who were identified as having
significant reading problems. This innovative program linked children
with Trent University students training to become teachers.
The 2007 Great Grants Awards will be held Tuesday November 27th, from
5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Buckhorn Community Centre in Buckhorn. The award
presentation begins at 5:30 p.m. The Ontario Trillium Foundation is an agency
of the Government of Ontario. To learn more about OTF, visit
www.trilliumfoundation.org